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Easy to Deceive

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:51 pm

War. It was one of many things that could bring a kingdom to its knees. It caused bloodshed, loss of resources, and loved ones. Worst of all it caused arranged marriages. The only good thing to come out of that was peace, even if the ones forced into the marriage were at war with themselves.

Princess Letiyana sat in a carriage traveling through unfamiliar land, cursing at her situation. Being the second daughter to King Godric, she got the short end of the stick. Her kingdom was at war with another, and the only way that could bring peace was to give Letiyana to Prince Ryland of the rival kingdom.

"What a load of bullocks." The sour princess sighed.

The kingdom she was traveling to was beautiful. Rolling hills, clear streams, and rivers, even craftily built stone houses on land so green it made your eyes water. But the beauty of it was lost on the homesick girl who would likely never see her family, or home again.

"Coming up on the castle, Princess." The driver called back to her.

Sighing again, Letiyana turned her faze to the quaint village surrounding the castle walls. It bustled with energy and excitement, no doubt brought on by her arrival. Letiyana tried to offer soft smiles, showing grace and kindness like she was taught, but she found it hard to muster the strength. Instead, she sat back, and closed her eyes to wait for her arrival at the castle.

She didn't open her eyes again, until the carriage jerked to a sudden halt, throwing the girl forward. Frowning, she took in breath to demand why they were stopped when her door was yanked open, a dirty hand grasping her upper arm. Torn from the carriage, Letty squinted against the light, raising an arm to shield her eyes.

"Oi, ain't she a looker, ey mate?" The man who held her tight, put his face close to hers, his rancid breath making her want to vomit.

"Release me at once." Letty commanded, obvious authority in her voice.

"Yer funny princess. We ain't lettin ya go. Well," the man chuckled, his men all stepping close to her. "Not til we through wit ya. But by then you ain't want to go." A twisted smile spread across his lips, revealing cracked, black teeth; the meaning of his words were not lost on her, and a shiver shuddered down her spine.

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:52 pm

Deep inside his castle walls, Prince Ryland sat in a finely decorated chair as his servants tended to his appearance. They primed his hair, fitted his clothing, and cleaned his face. He was a handsome man, with charm practically oozing out of every pore. He was, however, a fighter as well, and loved fewer things more than to hone his body into peak performance. The war with their neighboring kingdom had given him an excuse to get out of the castle and on to the battlefield, where he could experience the fighting first hand. It was dangerous, and it was reckless, but it made Ryland happy.

"If you are primped anymore, son, you'll come off more feminine than you'd hope." Queen Vestra smiled as she entered the room, causing all the servants to bow and move out of her path.

"You're right, as always Mother. But one must make a good impression, yes? This marriage may be arranged, but I would still like to look my best." Very little happened in the family without the Queen's notice, but Ryland was very careful about everything he said and did.

"She should be arriving any moment. Women do not care much for waiting." Again the Queen smiled.

"Indeed. I will go, and meet her at the gate. Send for my horse."

The servants still in the room scrambled, cleaning everything up as one disappeared to fetch for Ryland his horse. Within minutes the powerful horse had arrived. The stallion was brown with a black mane and tail, and was very large for a horse. It was a war horse, suited for armor and power rather than speed and agility. Ryland mounted the animal and took off for the gate.

Upon reaching his destination, Ryland slowed his horse as his eyes fell upon the carriage. There was no driver... no... that wasn't true. The driver laid on the bench, blood pouring from a deep wound in his side. In a semi-circle of brigands and cutthroats was a young woman, whose red hair mimicked a wild fire and skin that reminded him of fresh milk. Those surrounding her were clearly unsavory characters and had malicious intent in their hearts.

Offended by their lack of respect for what belonged to him, Ryland spurred his horse into a charge as he drew his sword. The small group whipped about to the sound of hooves beating the ground, kicking mud and sand as they approached. The man furthest out was the first to die, after the horse bowled him over and stomped on him, killing the bandit instantly. A second rapscallion fell as Ryland's sword gashed open his back.

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:53 pm

The sound of hooves, and bones crunching under them caused the princess, and the one who had her, to turn. Out of instinct to protect himself, the man grabbed a dagger and spun Letiyana so her back was against his chest, the blade to her throat. "One accidental move, princess, and yer soon to be husband will bathe in yer blood. Understand?"

Most royal women were soft and prim with a delicate disposition. Letty was not one of those. She despised anyone who thought they were better than she was, and she was raised to take no shit from anyone. As soon as she had a second, she slammed her head into the jaw of the ruffian who held her. His knife fell from his fingers and he grunted in pain; Letty lurched forward, running straight for safety.

She did not get far.

Pissed that a woman got the better of him, the scoundrel grabbed a chunk of Lettys hair and pulled hard, throwing her to the ground. He picked up his blade and towered over her, a look of murder in his eyes.

"Bad girl." He tsk'ed.

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:54 pm

Ryland's horse reared around, neighing loudly as it prepared for another charge. This time, however, Ryland did not allow it to charge full on. The disrespect he'd been shown by this act of aggression against his future wife was simply too much to punish by a quick death. The warhorse galloped forward, it's powerful muscles churning and kicking up earth behind them. Ryland jumped from his mount and set his feet firmly in the dirt. From his hip he pulled a whip, a black leather coil ending with three silver blades, each razor sharp and deadly. With a flick of his wrist the whip arced, catching the man by his wrist. The prince yanked hard, pulling the killer into the dirt while the blades dug deeply at his wrists and forearms.

"It appears that there are still mannerless beasts in my kingdom." Ryland pulled the would-be assassin through the dirt until coming to rest at his feet. Having been relieved of his dagger by the crack of the whip, the man could do nothing but struggle futilely. Prince Ryland planted a foot firmly on the man's throat, slowly pressing down until he could no longer breath. "See to Princess Letiyana! Make sure she is unhurt."

The assassin's face began to change color, even as he flailed in desperation. He did not suffocate, however, for Ryland pulled his foot up just before the man blacked out. Gasping for air, he coughed and heaved, trying to pull precious oxygen back into his lungs. "Pick up this rabble and take him to the dungeon. He'll be dealt with as the criminal he is."

Ryland waited until his guards, and her's, picked up the coughing man and began to drag him away. The prince went then to his future bride and offered to help her up. "My deepest apologies, Princess. If I had known that anyone would be so brazen, I would have tripled the guard instead of doubled. Please accept my most sincere apologies."

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:55 pm

Guards swarmed Letty, a hand maiden from another carriage rushing to her side, fussing over her unruly hair and dirt covered clothes. After the maiden straightened out her hair, and brushed most of the grime from her dress, Letty was finally able to stand. It was nice, being fussed over, but it was also quite irritating.

"Prince Ryland," Letty accepted his help up, heat rising in her cheeks. "Excuse my appearance. The attack couldn't have been helped, I suppose. There are those who will always long for war, and shudder at signs of peace." She brushed her hands off on her dress, the silken green fabric clinging to her skin down to her hips, where it finally fanned out.

Letty turned her gaze to the prince, taking him in. It seemed that her mother, Queen Aurelia, had been quite right about him. Handsome was most certainly accurate. He stood tall, and strong, evidence of his physique by the way he moved. After a moment or so staring, she curtsied, bowing her head.

"Pardon my rudeness, Your Highness. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Thank you for saving my life."

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:57 pm

Ryland bowed his head respectfully, taking a step back from Letiyana. She was a magnificent specimen, undoubtedly the most beautiful women in all her kingdom. Perhaps in both their kingdoms. Her hand, however, he kept, and brought it to his lips. "The pleasure is mine, my Lady." Ryland released her hand and straightened out, gesturing to the city behind him. "Allow me to be the first to welcome you Densmoore, capital city and home to the royal family." Immediately the royal couple were flanked by city guards, dressed in leather and chainmail armor, carrying swords, shields, and spears. All wore the royal colors, red and yellow, symbolizing their allegiance to Densmoore.

The city itself was prosperous and vibrant. Markets bustled with commerce and conversation. Street vendors peddled wares of varying degrees of value and simplicity, and people appeared to generally be happy. "As you can see the people here are generally happy. Though our countries have been at war, we strive to make sure that the distress of conflict does not breach the city wall." It was true. No one spoke of war or strife. No one grieved over lost sons, husbands, and fathers to a long a bloody war.

"Upon this hill is my home," Ryland continued, pointing up to the impressive keep perched atop a tall hill, overlooking the valley and all the land his family owned. "And... soon to be your home," he added. "Come, let's get you inside so you may refresh yourself and we may become better acquainted." Ryland's display of manners and kindness did not appear to go unnoticed, which is exactly what he wanted. Years of honing the art of manipulation allowed him to lie directly to someone's face and still come out as telling the truth.

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:58 pm

Letiyana tried to refrain from blushing at his lips on her hand, but found it difficult. His charm and mannerisms were excellent, even by Royal standards. He seemed to be perfect all around, in every manner imagine able; perhaps this marriage wasn't all bad. She got a handsome, well-mannered husband out of it at least.

She tried to keep her thoughts focused, and on what he was telling her as she took in everything around her. The people smiled, greeting their Prince, showing their love for the Royal family. The streets were clean and well kept, there didn't seem to be any more ruffians loitering around, so she felt relatively safe surrounded by the guard and her husband to be.

Before she began her ascent up the hill to her new home, she paused, glancing back to where they had come from. She couldn't see her land from there, but it didn't matter. Homesickness began to inch it's way into her heart, and she turned from it to face the castle, steadying herself. This was her home now, there was no need to grieve over what she had lost, when she had so much to gain.

"I quite look forward to getting to know you, Prince Ryland." Letty smiled softly. It was time to find out if all the rumors surrounding him were true. And to find out what the catch was. There was no one in the universe that perfect, so what was his flaw?

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:59 pm

The rest of the walk to the keep was relatively uneventful, except for Ryland pointing out various locations or landmarks while he explained their relevance or importance. Occasionally he would stop completely when a particularly beautiful scene expanded before their eyes, such as the mustard field to the south of the city. Acre after acre of mustard plants gave the land a bright and full golden yellow appearance, a plane that shifted slightly with the breeze. For a moment Ryland stood still, silently admiring the field before turning to Letiyana.

"This is one of the most beautiful sights in all of Densmoore, yet still it is merely a field of weeds compared to your beauty, Lady Letiyana." Ryland smiled and gazed into his future wife's eyes before taking her arm gently with his and leading her up the road to the castle gate.

The draw bridge was down and music played inside the courtyard as the entourage entered the confines of the keep. A magnificent structure in and of itself, Densmoore keep exceeded its reputation easily. Unlike many of the tribal keeps in other territories, Densmoore was beautiful and shining, as if it were carved from a mountain and polished like river rock. The main structure sat in the center of the plot, with guard towers on each corner. Two more towers flanked the main gate, and two more spires shot up on either side of the main hall.

"Welcome, my lady. Here at last is your new home. A castle is yours to roam about freely, except at certain times when I require you be by my side. The town, also, is available at your leisure, but I must insist that you always travel there with armed escort."

Ryland's horse was taken by a stable boy to a nearby barn where he removed the saddle and began to brush the coat and clean the hooves. The prince's eyes never left the horse until the boy had disappeared with it in tow completely. "There are rules, of course. We can discuss those after lunch. You must be starving."

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:00 pm

"You exaggerate my looks, M'Lord. It is such a beautiful sight here, I am easily cast in its shadow."

Charm? Check. Flattering words? Check. Drop dead good looks? Double check. Lettys keen eyes observed him deeply, trying to find anything that didn't fit his image. Frustratingly she found none; not yet, anyway. Oh, but there it was. Rules. She was free to do as she pleased, just as long as she followed rules, was escorted through the town, and appeared at his side when he called. Simple. But such was the life of a princess, was it not?

"I will do whatever it is you require of me." Letty walked by his side, forcing herself to tear her eyes off of his face. "I am eager to learn more about my new home, and the customs here. It is so vastly different than the North, I hope I do not do anything that will offend."

For the time being, the princess gave up on trying to find the princes' fatal flaw, and focused more on what was around her. The keep was magnificent, and a lot different than what she was used to. It was definitely bigger, too. If she wasn't careful, she could get lost inside its walls.

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:01 pm

"Don't think too little of yourself. Humility is all well and good, but when beauty is a matter of perspective."

As Ryland began the tour, the guards began to slowly peel away, accustomed to their Prince's free-roaming of the castle grounds. Gardens there were on every outdoor level, carefully cared and tended. Ornate and finely carved statutes dotted the walls and roofs, depicting beautiful angels and monstrous gargoyles. Atop the primary structure was a chiseled statue of an eagle easily five times the size of a person, perhaps more. It's features were extremely well detailed. If it hadn't been for the fact that it was the color of stone, one might have thought it to be a living being.

"We call him Tam'rall, which means Claw of the Mountain in the ancient language of our people. Many of us simply say Tam for short. The legends state that he protects the keep and its inhabitants, and so far the legends have all proven true. Densmoore's walls have never been breached, and with any luck, that will hold true far into the future."

Inside the shorter structure, though not small by any stretch of the imagination, was even more finely decorated. Marble and quartz blended perfectly with the stone, and expertly carved wood gave ample room for sitting. Tall tapestries hung from several standing pillars on either side of a dark stone path that divided into smaller paths that led to a few doors in the back of the room. Ryland explained that the tapestries depicted the different ages of rule under his family, each one displaying the symbol of the King and Queen of that era. Several pillars had yet to be decorated.

Beyond that was the throne room, through the center door. It was considerably smaller, roughly the size of a church meeting room. It was brightly lit by natural sun and shining reflective stone, with two empty thrones centered on the furthest wall. "Mother and Father are on their way to meet with your former King to sign the truce. If all goes well, they should return within a few days."

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:02 pm

'Former King. My father..'

As hard as she tried Letty could not help but feel a heavy heart. While the history, and ornate designs were fascinating and startlingly beautiful, the princess couldn't help her loneliness. It was easy to wear a smile, and pretend everything was alright. It was easy to push every worry and fear to the back of her mind, pretending they didn't exist. But she walked alongside him like she hadn't a care in the world, responding where appropriate, nodding, and showing interest even if there was none.

"Your home is breathtaking." Letty remarked, studying every detail. Her fingers delicately grazed the stone for a moment, before she turned to face Ryland. Again she studied him, from his perfect hair to his boots and back again. She didn't mean to stare, but her gaze lingered a second too long.

It would be the talk of the century, she was sure, the two of them wed. She could see why. He looked as if he had been carved from marble by the gods, the same care to detail put in his appearance as the carvings on the castle walls. And she was quite a looker herself. Her pale skin set off her vivid hair, her eyes bright and full of life. What an attractive pair they made. But it made the princess wonder: they were equal in looks, but behind closed doors would they get along? Could she love this man? Would he love her? As possible as it may have been, it was equally possible that he saw her as a prize from war that he had won.

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:03 pm

There was no missing the lingering gaze Letiyana gave, and to be honest Ryland was quite flattered. He was a handsome man, so being admired for his looks was not uncommon. But there was something unique and exciting about being looked upon by a princess whose own beauty defied reason. From her milky skin to her vibrant hair to her deep eyes and her magnificent physique, every time Ryland got a chance to view her was a treat fit for royalty, and not just the wealthy.

"It is unique," Ryland replied as he considered the compliment. "But it is beautiful only because there are those willing to keep it that way. Without constant attention, the building would become ugly. I hope to see it destroyed before it is ever left unattended." Having such a home was a privilege to be respected, but like so many things, it was an object that could be destroyed at any time, either ravaged by time or catapult.

The tour continued, showcasing the various common areas, the dining hall, kitchen, and library. The second to last area of the tour took them down into the first lower level and into a large open-concept room. Inside the clang of steel and the thump of wood rang in clashing attempts at harmony, as did the grunting and growling of several individuals within. "This is the training area, a place where members of the royal houses may hone their martial skills. In our country, everyone is taught to fight, for we defend our kingdom till the very last life. Men, women, young, and old. The king and queen themselves are prepared to fight if necessary."

The stairs, however, did not stop on that floor. They appeared to continue to descend past the training area.

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:03 pm

It was a relief to say the least when the princess discovered that women were allowed to fight as well as the men. In her kingdom it was frowned upon, but not forbidden. Letiyana was quite good with a sword, not the best by any means, but still good. Her attention was drawn away from the training area to the stairs that led away from them and down.

"Prince Ryland," she began, trying to see further down without moving towards it. "What lies down there?"

Now that they were relatively alone, she felt that she didn't have to hide her curiosity anymore.

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:04 pm

"That is the door to rule number one. Never go through that door." While Ryland's expression remained soft, his words carried far more weight. In truth, that was the door that was only opened under a very particular set of circumstances, being the portal to a place where nightmares became reality. The castle was quite deep, much deeper than it appeared on the surface. Very few actually understood what existed in the lower depths of Densmoore keep. If more people knew, no one would come within a hundred miles of the city.

"Forgive my tone," Ryland continued apologetically. "It is very important that you remember never to go there unless I am with you. There are not many rules here for the aristocracy to adhere to, but that one is the most important, aside from refraining from committing treason." The prince chuckled a little, knowing that she would not consider participating in such a crime.

Refreshing his tone and offering his hand to Letiyana, Ryland smiled warmly to change the subject. "Come, let me show you to your room. It wouldn't be proper for us to sleep in the same bed. Let us get you settled in, then we can eat dinner. I would love to hear more about you."

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:05 pm


Letiyana raised an eyebrow, a frown tugging at her lips. Never go under the castle? Well, that was going to make things a bit boring, wasn't it? Maybe she could just peek down there when he wasn't around. Then again, she might not. His tone was rather serious.

Dismissing that line of thinking for the time being, Letty took his hand, and smiled. "You want to know about me? Oh, darling, nothing noteworthy happens in the North."

Letiyana told a few boring tales about what she did in her youth, but did not drag on about herself. But as they walked, she told appropriate bits of history about her home. The reason behind her paleness despite long hours spent in the sun (a hereditary pigment in her skin preventing a tan), though she didn't mind. She explained in as much detail as possible the structure of her castle. Tall spires, all polished black stone. Walkways that gave off eerily beautiful light as the sun set. The tall black gates and wall that surrounded her keep.

"Our homes, while similar on some respects, are very different. In Dewers Hollow we thrive at night."

Dewers Hollow was the town that surrounded the castle on all sides but one, where a tall mountain range extended in the distance either way. Even if her castle were to be attacked its walls would not fall. Nestled in the mountainside it was the safest place to be during war time.

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:13 pm

Prince Ryland listened quietly, taking everything she said in and committing it to memory. There were a variety of reasons for paying so much attention above being a courteous host and attentive husband. Never one to turn down information regarding the strengths and weaknesses of their neighboring territories, Ryland remembered well the spine of the mountain. If he ever had to invade, he would do so from above.

"You have great modesty, Lady Letiyana. That is a rare trait for those of royal birth. I believe most would rather pass themselves off as better than others. It is one thing to rule, but another completely to have the respect of your followers." Respect. A simple word that could start and end a war in the same breath. His people respected him because of his kind but firm hand as their heir to the throne. Of course they did not see how he punished those who crossed him or his family, but that was intentional. He did not want to be feared unless there was a good reason.

Eventually they made their way to the royal quarters, a set rooms that could hold a peasant's entire house each. They were mostly used for the children to the crown and any royal guests of the house. Letiyana's would serve as her home until she married Ryland, at which time she would move into his chamber.

"You'll be staying here for now," Ryland said as he opened the door. Completely furnished, the theme of brilliant continued into the room. Marble floors, tables finely carved from the wood of the oak groves nearby, chairs, a large rug, fireplace, and artwork hanging on the walls all showcased the lavish four-poster bed with translucent wispy curtains hanging from the top. The window overlooked the land and beach, eventually leading to the ocean. The port was far enough to the south that she would not be stuck looking at it. Only a few people milled about on the grounds below.

"I hope you find this to your liking."

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:14 pm

"Respect is earned, not freely given, and only with respect in return." Letty remarked absently, with a soft shrug. "As for modesty.. No one will willingly follow someone who believes they walk on gold while others stumble through the mud. One should not be punished, or treated with hostile intentions solely based on their birth. Royal or not, everyone deserves a chance."

Lettys people loved her, and respected her because she was kind and understanding, though they knew not to cross her. She could be soft as a feather, or sharp as a whip and no one wanted to be on the wrong side.

Entering her chambers, she was a little taken aback. It looked as if a lot of effort had been put in to make it look as amazing as it did. Although she was royalty, she didn't find too much pleasure in material things, though Letiyana appreciated its beauty. Immediately drawn to the window and the view it gave her, she gazed out onto the water. It seemed that she had traded mountain for sea, and while it was gorgeous it made her long for her home.

The princess remained still, her hand on the frame of the window, her blue hues distant. Standing that way for a long moment, she closed her eyes and breathed in the salty sea air, a soft breeze ruffling her hair. Opening her eyes once more, Letty smiled turning to face Ryland.

"I am sure I will love it here. Thank you for accommodating me."

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:16 pm

There was a moment when Ryland said nothing, nor did he move. He simply stood, admiring Letiyana as she stood in the window, the breeze flowing through her hair and carrying her natural fragrance into the room. "Letiyana, allow me to speak plainly. I understand that it was hard to come here, to leave your home behind to come here. You don't have to pretend with me. Out there... for the sake of the people, we all wear masks. But when it's just you and me, please be yourself." Without waiting for her reply, Ryland bowed his head and stepped out of the room, allowing her to settle in.

Throughout the rest of the day, servants came up to the room to introduce themselves to Letiyana, to inform her of their responsibilities within the keep. Her handmaiden introduced herself as well, and advised her on how to summon the staff if she needed anything. There were no guards outside her door, for she was not inside a prison, but it was common for them to walk past her door on their rounds.

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:17 pm

When all the help had come and gone, and silence was given, Letty allowed herself to sink into a chair and stare out the window. For a while she was alright, the sound of the ocean waves the only sound. But then the weight of it all sank in, the fear, the homesickness, the worry; Letiyana sat in her chair by the window, her face in her hands, and she cried.

The day came and went, her things having been brought to her room and already unpacked. As far as settling in to the room, she was done, but she wanted to explore the castle some more, get to know its halls so she didn't get lost. Letty set out with no particular destination in mind, and before she knew it, the sun had set and the halls were dimly lit by torch, and she found herself at a door at the stairs by the training grounds.

For a long moment she just stood there, staring at the wood, debating on whether or not she should enter. It was rule number one to stay out of there unless in the company of Prince Ryland, but what could be down there that was so bad? Letty reached for the handle, but stopped, letting her hand fall back to her side. She wasn't going to go in there. It was bad manners.

But her curiosity tore at her. What could one peek hurt? Making sure no one was watching, the princess opened the door and stepped inside, slowly, cautiously descending into the dark.

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Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:18 pm

Knowing that the princess had stayed in her new room most of the day, the servants gave her some space, as decreed by Ryland himself. There would be time for comforting her when she was ready. No one knew that she had left her room to take her own tour of the keep, though in all actuality she had every right to do so.

The room downstairs, however, was excluded from that list. She had no right to be there.

As she stepped through the threshold, the air became humid and cold, with a strange odor permeating the air. It wasn't a terribly off putting smell, but certainly not the most pleasant either. It was dark but for a few sconces still burning on the walls. The only sound that could be heard was that of Letty's breath.

While she could not see them, they could see her. Two hounds, which might have seemed normal in the beginning, watched her carefully, waiting to see what she was doing. When she stepped inside without the prince with her, they began to growl loudly, a deep sound which no mundane creature of the continent could make. The pair of hell hounds rushed forward to meet the intruder. Though she had plenty of time to escape back through the door, they did not let that stop then from trying to rip the flesh from her bones.

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Easy to Deceive Empty Re: Easy to Deceive

Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:20 pm

'I should not be here. I definitely should not be here.'

The princess had only stepped just inside, and already guilt was pulling at her. What would her future husband think of her openly disobeying the very first rule? Would her actions jeopardize the peace that she had been sacrificed for?

The sound of a guttural growl caused Letty to freeze in her steps. It was bad enough that it was as quiet as the grave, and just as dark. There was also a smell she couldn't place, and the cold seemed to cling to her. But now there was a growl that sounded as if it came from the depths of hell. She was out of there.

Turning around, the princess ran for the door, yanking it open and darting out of that horribly dark place. Slamming the door shut, Letty breathed hard, closing her eyes, fear making her body quake. Whatever had been in that room was big-really big- and vicious and she wanted nothing to do with it.

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Easy to Deceive Empty Re: Easy to Deceive

Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:21 pm

Ryland walked the halls between his chambers and Letiyana's, having become concerned for her well-being. He hadn't seen her since the morning. Knocking on her door, he was disturbed when he discovered she was not in her room. Quickly he wandered the castle, checking everywhere he could think of before he suddenly stopped short. The training room. The door. She was curious. But surely she wasn't dumb enough to...

Bursting into a full sprint, Ryland ran through the halls to the training room, nearly bowling over the servants and almost falling down the steps as he raced forward. He arrived just in time to see Letty slam the door shut behind her, her body shaking with fear. Anger welled up inside Prince Ryland. The blatant disregard for the rules was something he simply could not tolerate. Striding forward, he gripped Letiyana's wrist and whirled her around to face him.

"Stupid girl! What did I tell you about that door!?"

It was then that a charmingly devious plot entered his mind. Still gripping her wrist, Ryland opened the door and tossed Letiyana inside. He, too, entered the room, then turned sconce, causing the torches in the room to light up. What was revealed were the things nightmares were made of. All manner of demon beasts and monsters were caged or chained inside the room, all except the Hell hounds, of course, which again charged ahead.

"See why I told you not to come here without me?" Ryland's voice was calm and collected, if not cruel and torturous. He held the princess out in front of him, almost like a shield. The hounds, foaming at the mouth, charged ahead. Just before they could reach her, Ryland put out his hand. A bracer on his wrist began to glow a bright red, and when the hounds spotted the glow, both of them stopped as quickly as they could, whimpering as they shied away from the artifact.

"The last person to enter this room was not nearly as lucky as you."

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Easy to Deceive Empty Re: Easy to Deceive

Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:22 pm

Lettys eyes were wide with fear, her breaths ragged and uneven. This was not the same prince she had met earlier that day. This man was cruel.

She tried to pull her wrist from his grip, her fear mounting higher as she was tossed back through the door, the hounds coming back for her again. Crying out, she flinched, her body tensing, expecting pain and darkness, but she was met with neither. Instead Ryland had stopped the beasts.

When the immediate danger had passed, Letiyana let her eyes wander through the room, struggling to breathe as more time passed. The terrified young woman turned her gaze to her future husband, horror and fear of him reflected in her shining hues. Tears began to roll down her cheeks, silently, her body shaking so bad she could hardly stand. Despite all the horrors in the room, Letty shrank away from Ryland. Was she really expected to marry this man? He was a wolf in sheeps clothing, and she was his next meal handed straight to him on a silver platter.

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Easy to Deceive Empty Re: Easy to Deceive

Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:24 pm

"Look around you, Letiyana. Look around and why you should never come down here again." Despite the severity of the situation, Ryland's voice was calm and even. With her still in tow, he practically dragged her forward where she could see several of the beasts that had been gathered in the castle's depths. From the tall to the short, the deformed to mundane, there were no words to describe the horrors Letty witnessed. Some hissed, some growled. Others made no sounds at all, but kept their hideous and glowing eyes locked on the cowering girl.

When he felt like she had enough, Ryland began to guide her back to the door, making sure to keep her somewhat off balance to add to the nightmarish hell she'd just experienced. When the door closed, the beasts slowly began to settle down again. Some of the servants, startled by the noises emanating from the depths of the castle's interior, appeared very suddenly, and met the princess and prince just on the other side. "Prince Ryland! What happened!?"

"It's alright, it's alright now. The princess wandered into the lower levels." Ryland's grip changed immediately, wrapping his arms protectively around the girl as the servants swarmed in. It was as if he'd flipped a switch from cruel to loving. Even his eyes seemed to soften. "See to yourselves."

Ryland guided the princess slowly to a nearby table in the next room. He sat her down, then went to a desk where he pulled out a glass and urn of wine. He poured the glass full, then, without her eyes upon him, slipped a powder into the drink that would quickly sedate her. Ryland took the glass and carefully placed Letty's hands on it. "Here, sip this. It will help you relax."

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Easy to Deceive Empty Re: Easy to Deceive

Post by Danry Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:34 pm

Letty was having trouble focusing, the horrors from that room burned into her retinas. The creatures, demonic things.. Feeling Ryland protectively holding her after what he had just done to her, made her whole body tense; she wanted to get far away from him.

Being led into the next room, however, into the light and away from the things hidden below, she tried to work up the courage to confront him. But her voice was lost, her fear paralyzingly her in more than just one way. Taking the cup from him was difficult, as her hands were shaking so terribly, she nearly spilt the liquid in it. Should she drink what he had given her? Could she trust him after what had just happened?

Letty had seen him pour it. She only looked away for half a second. It wasn't enough time for him to do anything to it. Taking a shaky breath, she took a sip, and then another. In a matter of minutes, her shaking had stopped, her head swimming. The glass slipped from her fingers, which had started to go numb. Struggling to stand, she slid back down into her chair, her body feeling weak.

"What.. Did you... You..." Letiyana tried to speak, to question him, but her strength left her quickly as she slipped into a near unconscious state.

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